1889: History of Shikoku Railways

1. Setting and a much smaller map
1830 covers the northeastern USA with a large map. 1889 takes place on Shikoku, the smallest of the four main islands of Japan, with a much smaller map full of mountainous terrain that makes building expensive. The rules engine is essentially that of 1830, but adapted to this smaller scale.

2. One fewer company than in 1830
Despite having the same number of trains as 1830, 1889 has one fewer company in play. Fewer companies means fewer "slots" for trains, so it's harder for many trains to be bought all at once, triggering a massive rust wave, unlike in 1830.

3. Companies float with 5 shares sold, not 6
In 1830 a company floats once 6 shares have been sold (60% of 10). In 1889 only 5 shares sold are needed for a company to float, a lower threshold that slightly speeds up companies getting started compared to 1830.

4. Restriction on the buy/sell order within the stock round turn
In 1830 there is no special restriction on the order of buying and selling within the same turn. In 1889 you can buy and then sell, or sell and then buy, but you cannot sell, buy, and sell again in the same turn. This specific restriction does not exist in 1830.

5. Semi-restrictive tile upgrades
In 1830 it's enough for the company to be able to reach the hex where the upgrade is placed (permissive rule). In 1889 the new tile must additionally provide a new connection (new track) or increase the value of a city the company can already reach.

6. Its own privates, different from those in 1830
1889 has its own set of private companies, themed around Shikoku, with revenues and small advantages different from those offered by the six classic privates in 1830.

7. Smaller bank
In 1830 the bank is sized for a much larger map and company scale. In 1889 the bank only has ¥7,000, a much smaller figure that, together with the small map, notably shortens the length of the game.

8. Expensive terrain on a mountainous map
Shikoku's terrain means that terrain costs weigh much more heavily on track-laying decisions than on the relatively flat map of 1830's northeastern corridor.

9. A noticeably shorter game
The combination of a small map and a reduced bank means a game of 1889 tends to be noticeably shorter than a game of 1830, while keeping all the depth of the system but in a more compact format.

10. Recommended as "1830, but smaller"
1889 is often recommended to those who already know 1830 and want a similar rules experience but faster and more intense, thanks to the combination of a smaller map, smaller bank, and one fewer company in play.

1889 History of Shikoku Railways — Schematic summary (vs 1830)

SETTING

• Shikoku (Japan), small and mountainous map
• ¥7,000 bank (much smaller than in 1830) → shorter game

COMPANIES

• One fewer company than in 1830 → less risk of massive train rust
• Float with 5 shares sold (not 6 as in 1830)
• Own privates, different from those in 1830

SHARE AND TILE RULES

• In the stock round: buy+sell or sell+buy, but not sell-buy-sell
• Semi-restrictive tile upgrades (must provide new track or increase city value)